Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) announced on Wednesday that it has attained double-data speed of current fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology in the recent trials of 'LTE-Advanced'. Smart is the first-ever telco in the Philippines to introduce this ultra-high-speed mobile broadband.

LTE-Advanced is the next step in broadband evolution with current deployment in very few countries such as South Korea, the United Kingdom, and various South American countries. LTE Advanced connectivity allows users to download data at speeds twice as fast as 4G networks and 10 times faster than 3G services.

With network equipment provider Huawei Technologies Philippines (Huawei), the recent trials show a broadband technology which can deliver data rates in excess of 200 mega bytes per second (mbps), up to a possible 700mbps.

"The test facilities were able to achieve break-neck speeds of up to 209 mbps, over twice the 100 mbps top speed of LTE.", Smart said.

These tests demonstrate the readiness of the Smart network infrastructure to meet the demands of technologies that go beyond LTE,” said PLDT and Smart Technology Group Head Rolando G. Peña.

In the test setup, LTE Advanced was also deployed over WiFi, enabling devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops to experience extremely high speeds by logging on to the local wireless network.

“The good news is we have transformed our network in the past two years. LTE Advanced will work hand-in-glove with our extensive and robust fiber-powered network which, as we speak, we continue to expand and strengthen,” Peña added.

Smart together with PLDT boast Philippines most extensive fiber network. It has over 71,000 kilometers of total fiber footprint, inclusive of 7,200 kilometers of international submarine fiber, and over 4,000 kilometers of domestic submarine fiber.